Safety first when it comes to water sports

Safety first when it comes to water sports

With temperatures rising, more and more Californians are headed to beaches, pools, rivers and lakes to find some relief from the heat.

Water-related activities help make summer one of the most fun times of the year, but it’s important to remember activities around water can also be dangerous if precautions aren’t taken. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance says that many people who drown never intend to be in water and often drown within 10-30 feet of safety.

In a recent letter, Governor Jerry Brown Jr. shared that “10 people die from unintentional drowning every day.” The Center for Disease Control notes that drowning is the leading cause of death for kids five and younger and can cause permanent brain damage for those in near-drowning situations. The organization estimates that 3,400 people drown annually in the U.S.

The Rancho Cucamonga Fire District wants you to know the ABCs of water safety:

Active Adult Supervision
Experts will tell you every minute counts when it comes to supervision of children around water. RCFD encourages you to designate a “water watcher,” a single adult whose sole job it is to supervise children in and around the water. That adult should put away all reading material and electronic devices, and avoid human interaction, that could distract them from the important task in front of them. The designated watcher should be in close proximity to children under his or her watch to provide quick action if required.

Barriers
Pool owners should be sure to address pool safety. A fence will help keep children out of the pool area. Owners should ensure that gates are locked and nothing is around the fence to allow someone to climb over. An added safeguard would involve placing alarms on windows and doors that lead to the pool area.

Classes
Ensuring that children know how to behave in and around water can reduce their risk of drowning. It is also important that individuals get trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Knowing CPR can give someone in distress time needed for emergency personnel to arrive. It can save lives. If you’re interested in aquatic programs that teach swimming, check out the Chaffey College Summer Swim Program, the Cove Water Park, the City of Ontario Aquatics Program, the Claremont Club Swim Lessons, the City of Fontana Aquatics Program and the Riverside Aquatics Association. If you’d like to learn CPR in Rancho Cucamonga, check out the classes offered at the Fire Station and Goldy Lewis Center/Central Park.

Individuals participating in water sports should also:

• Have a cellphone handy in order to make a 9-1-1 call should the need arise